Thursday's forecast: Feels like fall in the east

Jul. 17, 2014
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by Doyle Rice, USA TODAY

by Doyle Rice, USA TODAY

Drenching rain and severe thunderstorms will pelt the south-central U.S. on Thursday while mostly superb weather continues in the upper Midwest and East.

Plains: The central and southern Plains will be wet and wild Thursday. Severe thunderstorms are likely in northern Texas while heavy rain could lead to flooding in Oklahoma.

East: Other than some rain in the interior Northeast and thunderstorms in Florida, the eastern third of the country will be clear and dry on Thursday. The Great Lakes and Midwest will be mild and sunny.

West: The Southwest and Rockies will have scattered afternoon thunderstorms. The Northwest will continue its heat wave for one more day before a cooling trend begins by week's end.

Weather history for July 17: In 1934, an intense, two-week heat wave began in Michigan. More than 600 died due to the heat. In 1985, Chicago dipped to a record low of 51 degrees.

In 1996, almost 17 inches of rain rain fell in Aurora, Ill., leading to the worst flooding on record in northeastern Illinois. In 2003, an inch of snow fell in Denali National Park in Alaska, the first July snow in 30 years.